Kerf cutterhead mechanism for mining machines



July 14, 1953 A. L. LEE 2,645,470

KERF CUTTERHEAD MECHANISM FOR MININSE MACHINES Filed April 21, 1948 4Sheets-Sheet l HTTY July 14, 1953 A. L. LEE 1 m? 0mm uEcHANIsu FOR ummcIIAGHINES 3 Filed April 21, 1948 4 She'efis-Sheet 2 /NVENTOR ARTHURL.L.EE, BY

July 14,1953 AQI... LEE: 4

m mm-mm MECHANISM FOR 14mm: mcnmgs Filed A ril-21, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3July 14, 1953 A. L. Leg;

' IERF Cum-mama momma: 5 9R unimc mcnmss 4 sneets sheet 4 Filed April21, 1948 (Ny NT-OR ARTHUR L. LEI;v

Patented July 14, 195';

' KER CUTTERHEAD MECHANISMFOR ,MINING MACHINES Arthur L.'-'Lee, UpperArlington, Qhio, assignor to The Jelfrey Manufacturing Company, acorporation of Ohio Application April 21, 19.48,.jseri 1 No. 22,268

This invention relates to "a mining machine, and an object of theinvention is to provide an improved mining machine which is veryflexible in character and in which improved enclosed power'mechanism anddrive gearing is provided for adjusting the cutter bar relative tothehead of said mining machine.

A further'object of the invention is to provide a mining machinehavingan elongated extensible supplemental frame orneck formedoftwotelescoping parts relatively-adjustable about an axis, inwhichthere isdrive gearing extending between the two telescoping parts todrive'the cutter chain of the kerf cutting mechanism supported on theouter-part which preferably includesan adjustable head and in whichimproved drive gearing and supporting means are provided, extendingthrough the relatively adjustable parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved conduit formingmeans for hydraulic conduits or other similar power conducting means, bywhich hydraulic fluid or the like may be transferred between tworelatively adjustable parts of a supplemental frame or elongated neck,through which power transmission mechanical gearing also extends.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mining machine with anelongated or extending supplemental frame or neck, upon which a headtends to drive kerf cutting mechanism supported by the head; thearrangement also providing improved supporting means for the head, byvirtue of which the drive gearing may be completely housed Other objectsof the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features andcombinations being set forth in the appended claims.

' In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mining machine incorporating the features ofmy invention, the cutter chain associated with the head drive sprocketand cutter bar not being illustrated, it being of standard construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view showing particularly the rearportion of the supplemental frame and more particularly that portionwhich telescopes with the outer portion of said supplemental frame shownin Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a horizontalsectional viewof the outer portion of thesupplemental frameand consti- 55 .21 Claims. 262-28) 1 a tutes,a-continuation of Fig. 3, except that it is --taken-through a plane atright angles thereto;

"- Fig.4 also showing the'adjustable and turnover "head portion of themachine and being taken on the line I-AofFig. and

Figx5is a sectional View taken at right-angles to-the view of Fig. 4 andshowing the outer portion of-thesupplemental frame together with the--turnover'head.

Referring-first-to Figs. 1 and 2ofthe drawings,

the mining machine of my invention includes a main frame I0 WhiCh'lSillustrated as mounted on fou-r -wheels IIadapted to run on mine rails.

Adjacent the-rear end of the main frame I {I there is-a cable reel I2adapted to carry an electric -c'able.- Forwardly of the-cable reel I2and on each side of the mainframe there is an operators sta- --tionl-3adjacent which there are similar con- :-axis1which-'is locatedsubstantially at the point I of intersection of diagonal lines betweendiagonal .wheels I I ethereiisaturntable I4 which iscarried *by the-mainrframe Ill and which may be swung abouttheiuprightaxis by any Well knownpower :operated means, preferably hydraulic in characuter... Adjustablymounted on the turntable It for upivotallup anddown movement on atransverse :horizontal axisisa supplemental frame I5 which includes twoprincipal relatively adjustable memgbersor portions Ifiand lL portion Itbeing the qrearward ;portion;an d portion I1 being the forw rdo uteportion. f ?-he abovem nt o ed pivotal connect on is p vided bytrunnions I8 onthe rear end of the rear portion ;I6 which are JQurnaledin bearings carr ed: by Lupstanding brackets 19 formed in g -.with said.turntable.

The .rear. portion I6 also includes a pair of removable spaced arms 20,one

.zmotorflI which interconnects the turntable I4 :andithe :supplemental 1frame .I 5.

the hydraulic motors 2| and sealing of them in any additional adjustmentprovides .-for the up and down-pivotal movement of the supplementalframe I5 :aboutthe horizontal axis ofthe trunnions I8.

The rear portion It of the-supplemental frame I I5 provides -a-' totallyenclosing housing, within the-rear-portion of-whichthereis a primarydriving electric motor -22, the forwardly extending drive shaft -23' ofwhich is seen in detail in Fig, 3

Adjustment of 3 of the drawings. The axis of the shaft 23 is preferablycoincidental with the longitudinal axis of the supplementaal frame l5,about which longitudinal axis the portions I6 and IT thereof arerelatively adjustable. The outer portion I1 is journaled to the rearportion l for rotary adjustment on said longitudinal axis by a pair oflongitudinally spaced journal bearings 24 and 25 (see Fig. 3), and saidrotary adjustment is effected by virtue of a hydraulic motor 26 (seeFig. 1) carried on the rear portion l6 and provided with reductiongearing including a worm which meshes with a worm gear 21 (see Fig. 3),which worm gear 21 is keyed to the rear portion of the outer portion [1.1

It may be pointed out that the construction provided is such that theouter portion ll may be continuously rotated in"'either' clockwise orcounterclockwise direction with respect to the rear portion l6 and thisis possible particularly in view of the special construction of thehydraulic conduits hereinafter described and which constitute animportant contribution of my invention.

At its outer end the outer portion I1 is bifurcated, providing a pair ofspacedarms 28 and 29 which extend laterally of the longitudinal. axis ofsaid supplemental frame l5 and upon which a turnover head 38 ismountedfor limited pivotal movement about a transverse axis which is atright angles to the axis of the supplemental frame [5. As hereinafterdescribed more in detail, a. flat, elongated cutter bar 3i ofessentially standard construction .is pivotally mounted on the turnoverhead 30 about the axis of a drive sprocket 32 which drives the cutterchain of the kerf cutting mechanism of the mining machine, which cutterchain is not illustrated in the drawings since its construction andassociation with the cutter bar and drive sprocket are essentially ofstandard and well known design.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawingsand to the construction of the means for mounting the turnover head 33on the bifurcated frame portion Il, together with certain drive gearinginterconnecting the motor 22 and the drive sprocket 32. The head 30 isformed of a main casting 33 provided at its outer end with a pair ofremovable cover plates 34 and 35 which provide access to the interior ofsaid main casting 33, since the head 30 is a totally enclosingstructure. Adjacent one side, which is at the top as viewed in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings, the main casting 33 receives a removable disclike plate 38which is removably attached to the castin 33 adjacent a circular openingtherein.

The plate 36 has a central opening adapted to receive an anti-frictionbearing 31. Removably attached to the disc plate 35 by machine screws isa boss 38 which with the plate 36 formsa part of said head 30. The boss38 is journaled in a bearing 39 carried'in a circular hole in the arm 28and provides one of the trunnions by which said head 30 is pivotallysupported to the outer end of the supplemental frame [5. A thrust bear-.ing 40 is interposed between the inner face of arm 28. and the outersurface-of the disc 36.

At its other side, or at the bottom, as seen in Fig. 4, theghead 30 hasan integral portion provided with a circular opening which is journaledto a two-piece cap 4!, which two pieces are rigidly but removablyattached together by machine screws as well as to a removable plate 42which in turn is rigidly but removably attached by machine screws to the.arm portion 29 of said outer members l1 journal bearing means 43 beinpro- 4 vided to support said side of the casting 33 on said arm 29 andto hold it against lateral thrust. It is thus seen that the head 30 ismounted for pivotal movement on an axis which is transverse or at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the supplemental frame 15.

To provide for limited pivotal adjustment of the head 30 on said rightangle axis there is a bifurcated boss 44 (see Fig. 5) formed on thebottom of the casting 33, as viewed in said Fig. 5, to which the outerend of a pitson rod 45 of a double acting hydraulic cylinder or motor 46is pivotally attached, the rear end of the cylinder of'said motor 46being in turn pivotally attached to a bifurcated boss 47 formed on theframe portion ll.

It is to be noted that the cylinder 46 is completelfhoused on threesides by the housing casting 48 by bolt means 39.

motor 46 the head 33 may be SWllIlg about the right angle axis, whichright angle axis is parallel with the plane of the cutter bar 3|, thusproviding for limited pivotal adjustment of said cutter bar along anaxis which is parallel with the plane thereof but spaced therefrom andwhich extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of said elongatedcutter bar 3|. 7 7

As previously mentioned, the cutter bar Si is mountedfor swingingadjustment relative to the head 30 and this swinging adjustment is aboutan axis which is at right angles to the above mentioned right angle axisupon which the head 39 is mounted with respect to the supplemental framel5. To provide this swinging adjustment the rear end of the cutter bar3| is rigidly but removably attached to a dish-like supporting Casting48 is journaled to the boss of a plate or casting 5B- which is rigidlybut removably attached to the head casting 33 by machine screws.

Plate 50 has a retaining cap 55 removably attached thereto by machinescrews which overlaps the supporting casting .43 and removably holds iton said casting 33 for swinging movement. Ball-bearings 52 areinterposed between the cap 5| and an integrally formed race on thecasting 48 to provide a low friction pivotal connection for said casting48, particularly when the head 30 is turned over, so that the cutter barextends from the bottom thereof, which is the reverse of the positionthereof illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings.

The dish-shaped casting 48 is provided with an integral peripheralflange 53 having an internal ring gear 54 formed thereon, which providesa final driven gear of a gear train for swinging the cutter bar 3|relative to the head 3!]. Ball-bearing means 55 are preferablyinterposed between an integral race formed on the periphery of theflange 53 and an integral cooperating flange formed by the casting 33. iA packed or labyrinth seal 55 is also provided adjacent and externallyof the ball-bearing means 55, whereby an enclosure against moisture,gases and the like is provided by the cooperation of the casting 33 andthe dished casting 48 for the gear54 as well as drive gearing thereforwhich is described hereinafter and which extends into the chamber orcompartment provided by castings 33 and.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawingsand to the :mechanism for adjusting the cutter bar 3| with respect tothe head 30 about the axis of the sprocket which, as above mentioned, isat right angles to the pivotal axis of the head 39 on the supplementalframe i5. Within an isolated compartment or chamber 5? of the headcasting 33, to which access is provided by the cover plate 35, there isa reversible rotary hydraulic motor 58 which is removably mounted'on awall or web of said chamber 51. The drive shaft of said hydraulic motor58 carries a wormwhich meshes with a worm gear 59 keyed to a shaft 60which is mounted in appropriate thrust and supporting bearings withinthe housing provided by the head 30, one of said thrust-bearings beingcarried in a removable cap 6| attached to said casting 33, whichprovides for the removal of said shaft 60 and worm gear 59. The shafthas anintegrally formed worm 62 which meshes with a worm gear 63 mountedin casting 33 by appropriate supporting and thrust bearings (see Fig.the worm gear 63 being splined to a shaft 64, the axis of which isparallel with the axis of rotation of the dished casting t8 but spacedlaterally therefrom. Thus a double reduction, involving two worms andtwo worm gears, is provided between motor 58 and shaft 64.

One of the bearings for supporting the shaft 54 is carried in a cup inthe casting 33 to which access is provided by removable cap 65. Theupper end of the shaft 84, as viewed in Fig. 5, is provided with a spurgear 65 which extends into the chamber provided by the'dished casting 4Sand the cooperating portion of the casting 33 and meshes with theinternal ring gear 54. Shaft 64 therefore extends through an opening inthe casting 33 of the head 30 and into said chamber provided by thedished casting 48 and cooperating portion of casting 33.

It is thus obvious that by reversibly operating the hydraulic motor 58the cutter bar 3| may be swung in opposite directions and byhydraulically locking said motor 58 said cutter bar may be locked in anyposition to which it is adjusted. It is to be particularly noted thatthe entire power driving mechanism for swinging the cutter bar 3!relative to the head 30 is enclosed within said head 35, except for thefinal gears 66 andv 54 which are enclosed within the chamber provided bythe dished casting 48 and the cooperating portion of the casting 33 ofsaid head 30. Furthermore this power operating mechanism starts with arelatively small compact rotary hydraulic motor 58 which readily adaptsitself to being contained within the enclosure provided by the head 30.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of thedrawings and to the power operated mechanism and gear train for drivingthe cutter chain sprocket 32 from the motor 22. As previously mentionedand as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the drive shaft 23 extendsfrom a motor compartment at the rear of the supplemental frame !5 intoan intermediate compartment which is a portion of the rear member ofsupplemental frame I5 and'designated generally by the referencecharacter IS. The outer end of said shaft 23 is splined to receive anddrive the splined collar of a universal joint 61 which in turn drives ashaft 68 which extends generally parallel with the axis of thesupplemental frame I5 but is slightly oblique relative thereto.

By reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings it will .be seen that theshaft 68 -extends through these movin parts.

and also receives one end of the shaft ll.

both the rear and forward or outer portions l6 and ll of thesupplemental frame or neck l5 and at its forward end is connected to auniversal joint 69. The forward end of the universal joint is in turnconnected to a short shaft 10 which is mounted on spaced anti-frictionbearings in a removable cage H which in turn fits into a cylindricalchamber or cavity in the forward portion of the members [7, whichforward portion includes the spaced arms 28 and 2G and is actuallyformed as a separate removable casting or frame member 12.

Grease seal means 73 is provided adjacent the rear end of the shaft itand, as hereinafter described, the movable parts which are carried bythe head 55, as well as by the frame member 12 including the supportingbearings for the shaft 10, are in direct communication so thatlubricating material in said head 39 will lubricate all of At itsforward end the shaft F5 is provided with a bevel gear '14 which in turnmeshes with a ring gear 15 riveted to a hub 16 which is mounted onspaced anti-friction bearings, one of which is carried by an integralportion of the arm 29 of casting 72, the other of which is carried bythe previously mentioned cap M, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of thedrawings. The hub 15 is internally splined and receives the externalsplines of a cross shaft H, the axis of whichis in alignment with theright angle axis above mentioned, upon which the head 30 is mounted forswinging adjustment relative to the supplemental frame or neck I5. 7

At the other end or outer end, as viewed in Fig. 4, the shaft H isexternally splined and has a splined connection with the driving memberof an overload friction type clutch is which is mounted on spacedbearings, one of which is carried by the casting 33, the other by thedisc or plate 35, as clearly illustrated inFig. 4 of the drawings.Formed integral with the shell or housing of the overload clutch is is abevel gear I9 which meshes with a bevel gear 89 (see 5) keyed to shaft8| which is supported at one end in an anti-friction bearing carried byanintegral cup 82 formed in the castin 33 and intermediate its endscarried in a pair of oppositely positioned anti-friction tapered rollerbearings carried in the previously mentioned plate or casting 5!}.Between the hub of the bevel gear as and the casting or plate 50 thereis a grease seal 83 which preserves the grease-tight enclosure of thehead 30.

At its outer end, which is the top as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings,the shaft at is keyed to the final drive sprocket 32 for the miningmachine cutter chain. A seal is also provided between a removable cup 86and a hub of the sprocket 32, the cup 84 being removably attached to theplate 59 by machine screws and cooperating to retain the previouslymentioned double roller bearing removably in place.

Byreference to Fig. l of the drawings it will be seen that the arm 25:of the casting E2 of the outer portion ll of the supplemental frame i5is of generally hollow construction, since it provides .a compartment,chamber or sub-housing for the. shaft 10, spur gear 14 and ring gear 15This housing is in direct and continuous communication with the housingprovided by the head section 33 so that lubricating material in one willfreely flow, to .the other, thus lubricating all the gears and bearings,starting with the bearings forisha'ft .Lllland; continuing through-to atleast scram onef the bearings of shaft 8i. This communication isprovided adjacent the shaft H by Virtue of a sleeve 85, the axis ofwhich is coincidental with the axis of the shaft H which is also theaxis of adjustment of the head 36 with respect to the supplemental frameor neck t5. Sleeve 85 is rigidly attached to a receiving cylindrical cupformed in the casting 33, as clearly illustrated in Fig. i, and extendsinto a receiving cup in the arm 29, grease seals 86 being providedbetween said sleeve 85 and said arm 29 as well as between said sleeve 85and the casting 33 to insure a fluid tight connection by this transferconduit.

In view of the above it is obviously only necessary to provide adequatelubrication in the enclosure provided by the head 31': to lubricate thatportion of the gear train within the hollow arm 29 and the chamber forshaft 78 in the casting 12.

Another important characteristic of my invention is the completeenclosure of all flexible conduits and in fact the enclosure ofsubstantially allof the conduits, whether flexible or relativelyinflexible, so as to preclude their being damaged and losing hydraulicfluid, the conduits in question being principally but not exclusivelythose for delivering hydraulic fluid to and from the several operatingmotors, including motors 46 and 58.

Furthermore, the particular hydraulic conduit forming means is soconstructed that there are no limitations on the extent to which theouter portion of the neck 15 may be adjusted along thelongitudinal axisof said neck; that is, the cutter bar 3| and head 38 may be rotatedcontinuously about the longitudinal axis of the supplemental frame orneck l5. To this end there is a pair of concentric sleeves 8i and 88,the latter having a generally cylindrical inner surface journaled on thegenerally cylindrical outer surface of the former. Sleeve 8'! in turnhas a cylindrical center bore which is journaled on the splined sleeveportion of the universal joint 51 which is splined to the free outer endof the motor shaft 23, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The cooperating surfaces of the two sleeves ill and 88 are provided witha plurality of cooperating opposite circumferential grooves 89, betweenwhich O-ring seals 90 are provided to isolate the conduits provided bysaid grooves 89. Sleeve 88 is rigidly attached to an upstandingpartition forming a part of the portion 16 of neck 15 and is thus heldagainst rotation relatively thereto. Sleeve 81 has a snap ring 9| at itsrear end and has a head 92 at its forward end which preventslongitudinal movement thereof relative to the sleeve 88 while permittingit to rotate relative thereto along their common axis which iscoincidental with the axis of the shaft 23 and the axis of rotation ofthe forward section I! of supplemental frame l with respect to the rearportion thereof.

The sleeve 88 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spacedhydraulic couplings each of which leads to an individual one of thegrooves 89. The sleeve 81 is provided with a plurality of axially andradially extending grooves each of which forms a conduit, one of whichis seen at 93, there being one such conduit 93 individual to each ofsaid grooves 89. There is also illustrated a cooperating groove andO-ring seal 94 provided between the forward external surface of thesleeve 88 and a rearwardly extending flange 95 of the head 92 of sleeve88 which provides another conduit 96.

On the outer face of the head 92 of sleeve 81 there is a partial ring9'! which is bolted or otherwise removably attached to said head 92 andwhich extends through an arc of approximately 180, the extent of thisare being such that the ring 9'! may receive and have rigidly attachedthereto a plurality of nested, semi-rigid pipes 98 which, for example,may be made of brass or bronze and which extend through individual holesin the ring 91 and are brazed thereto. Each of the pipes 98 leads to anindividual conduit 93, and O-ring or other seals are provided to make afluid tight connection between each pipe 98 and its associated conduit93 through the head 92 and ring 91. The nested pipes 98 extend throughan arc of a circle of approximately 180 or less and surround theuniversal joint 67. Th drive shaft 68 extends along the nested pipes 98which are brought together at their intermediate or generally centralportions where they are brazed or otherwise rigidly attached together soas to form a relatively solid, though slightly flexible, torquetransmitting arcuate shaft designated in its entirety by the referencecharacter 99. The arcuate shaft 99 is, of course, open on one side orthrough an arc of preferably 180 or more so that the drive shaft 68 isfree to extend forwardly, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of thedrawings.

At their forward ends the pipes 98 are brazed to a new-moon shaped headplate I98 which forms a part of the shaft 99 as does the ring 91. Headplate I00 is 'removably connected to a coupling new-moon shaped plateIDI which in turn is welded to the cylindrical rear portion of the framemembers ll so as to turn therewith. Coupling plate lfll is provided witha plurality of individual flexible conduit couplings [82, there beingone for each of the flexible or rubber conduits 183 extending therefrom.Plates I and lEll cooperate to provide'individual passagewaysinterconnecting each of the metal tube conduits 98 with one of theflexible conduits I09. Shaft 58 extends freely through the cooperatinggrooves in new-moon shaped plates I and NH.

From the above description it is obvious that as the head 30 and theforward portion [1 of the supplemental frame I5 rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the supplemental frame, a torque will betransmitted through the arcuate shaft 99 formed by the nested arcuatetubes 98 which are brazed or otherwise attached together, transferringthe rotating force to the sleeve 81 and causing it to rotate therewithand relative to the stationary sleeve 88, all the while preserving thecontinuity of the fluid conduit or connection between each of theconduits connected to the stationary sleeve 88 and the flexible conduitsI03. Each individual tube 98 is laterally spaced relative to the axis onwhich the shaft 99 turns which is the axis of the sleeves 81 and 88. Inother words, tubes 98 are non-concentric relative to their axis ofadjustment.

It is evident that the construction thus provided places no restrictionon the amount of rotation which may be imparted to the other portion Hof the supplemental frame 15 and there is no twisting of any flexiblehydraulic conduits involved. The hydraulic conduits )3 are employed todeliver hydraulic fluid to the motors :38 and 58 as well as to provide adrain for the latter. One of the hydraulic conduits may also be employedto deliver spray water to a spray pipe associated with the cutter bar 3!as hereinafter described more completely. Two of the conduits 103 willbe connected to opposite ends of the cylinder of double acting motor 46to provide for its reverse operation. There will be three conduits I03which will extend to the motor58, two of which are the operating fluidconducting conduits, the other of which is a drain conduit to drain theleakage from the motor.

It is evident that the flexible conduits I03 which control the cylindertype motor 46 may extend directly from their connection to the part I?to said motor 46, since said motor 46 has only very limited pivotalmovement with respect to the section I'I. However, since the motor 53 ismounted in the head 30, there is appreciably more pivotal movementbetween it and the portion- I5, as a consequence of which it isconsidered undesirable to employ flexible conduits I03 for the completeconnection leading directly to the motor 58.

To provide for the extension of the conduits from the flexible hoses I03to the motor 50,'three of said hoses I03 are connected to individualconduits I 04 (see Fig. 4) formed in a boss at the rear of the castingor frame member 12. The three conduits I04 (one a drain conduit) extendthrough the casting I2 to an external head I05 which is merely a blockof metal rigidly attached to the outside of casting I2, having threecontinuing passageways formed therein which continue the conduits I04.said conduits I04 extend from the head I05 into an arm I06 which isrigidly attached to said casting "I2 and which extends to a positionadjacent the axis of the shaft 71.

Rigidly attached to said arm I06 is a-cylinder I0! provided with threebores which constitute continuations of the conduits I04 and whichcommunicate with cooperating grooves I08 formed in the cylinder I01 andthe adjacent cylindrical surface of a bore in the boss 38 into which thecylinder I0'I'extends, there being O-ring seals between each of thegrooves I08, thus maintaining the individuality of the conduits I04 asthey extend therethrough. The grooves I08 cooperate with individualbores I09, which, of course, constitute extensions of each of the threeconduits I04. Each of the three individual bores I09 is connected by aflexible or a rigid conduit, not shown, to the hydraulic motor 58, rigidconduits being preferred since there is no twisting of them required,since the motor 50 is rigidly attached to the casting 33 within whichthe bores I09 are formed. I

It is, of course, evident that this extension of the conduits from theflexible rubber tubes I03 to the motor 58 provides for free swinging ofthe head 30 without requiring any twisting of conduits or the like. Infact, if desired, the tubes I03 may be relatively rigid metal tubesinsofar as those tubes which extend to the motor 50 are concerned, sincethey require no flexing whatever during normal operation. The tubeswhich extend to motor 46 from the coupling head I0! are preferablyflexible rubber tubes or the like, since they do require a limitedamount of bending during operation of the machine. The cylinder I0! isheld against axial movement by virtue of the arm I 06 which is rigidlyattached to the outside thereof and in effect forms a head for saidcylinder, the inside of said cylinder being attached to .a head IIO.

As previously mentioned, one of the pipes 98 and conduits I03 may leadto a spray pipe associated with the cutter bar 3I. When thisis provided,one of said conduits or hoses I03 may extend from the frame member I! tothe casting 33 and communicate by a coupling to a conduit 10' I II (seeFig. 5) formed in said casting 33. Conduit III leads to head II2 formedon a tube II3 which extends through a bore in the shaft BI.

'A grease seal H4 is provided between the head a passageway in the arm II6 and leads out to the cutter bar 3! where it may connect with spraynozzles thereon in a manner well understood in the art.

head II5 and the shaft 8|.

The upper end of the tube II 3, as viewed in Fig. 5, is plugged and itis provided with one or more radial bores adjacent the groove II'I sothat the water in said tube is free to flow radially outward into saidgroove II'i' from which it is conducted away by the spray pipe II8. Aseal H9 is provided between the bottom portion of A grease fitting isprovided in the sprocket 32 leading through the shaft 8| to the bottomof the head I I5, as viewed II'I, as viewed in Fig. 5, providing theaforesaid fluid tight connection.

From the above description it is evident that the operating motors foradjusting the turnover head 50 relative to the supplemental frame F0 areprotected by the supplemental frame portion I F. It is further obviousthat the motor and driving mechanism for swinging the cutter bar 3| withrespect to the head 30 is fully protected since it is totally enclosed.It is also of relatively small size, since the high pressure rotaryhydraulic motor53 is employed with a high gear reduction drive betweenits shaft and a final driven gear 54 of the cutter bar swingingmechanism.

It is furthermore obvious that the hydraulic conduits which extend fromthe rear portion of the supplemental frame I5 to the relativelyadjustable forward portion II thereof are not subject to any appreciabletwisting and they place -r no limitation whatever upon the extent towhich the turnover head may be rotated along the longitudinal axis ofthe neck or supplemental frame I5.

Furthermore, the manner in which the turnover head is connected to thebifurcated outer portion of frame If is such as to make it easy to sealsaid totally enclosing head 3i? against leakage of lubricating oil. Thisalso makes possible the easy formation of a communicating passagewaybetween the chamber for that portion of the gear train for driving thecutter chain which is carried by the head 30 and that portion carried bythe outer supplemental frame portion I'I..

Likewise, the conduit means which provides for the delivery of dustsettling water or liquid to the spray pipe HS in no way minimizes thead-- justability or flexibility of the cutter bar or turnover head or ofthe outer portion I? of the supplemental frame or neck I5.

32, save only for the latter, are totally enclosed and thus fullyprotected against dirt and grit and may be operated in an enclosed bathof lubricating oil;

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and Itherefore wish not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed. I

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what Idesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A mining machine including an enclosing head, kerf cutting mechanismincluding a cutter bar, means mounting said cutter bar on said head forswinging movement in its own plane, said means being enclosed in ahousing removably mounted on said head, totally enclosed power operatedmechanism for swinging said cutter bar relative to said head including agear train having double reduction gearing and a driving hydraulic motorwithin said enclosing head, said gear train including a final gearattached to said cutter bar and a drive pinion therefor, said pinionbeing on a shaft extending outside said enclosing head, said cutter bargear and pinion being separately enclosed in said housing, and saidhousing and head being relatively adjustable and formed to provide forseparation without exposing said gear train and motor within the head.

2. A mining machine including a supporting frame, a supplemental frameextending generally horizontally therefrom having telescoping forwardand rearward portions mounted for relative adjustment on alongitudinally extending axis fixed relative to said rear portion, poweroperated means for rotating said forward por tion relative to saidrearward portion on said axis, a head on said forward portion mountedfor pivotal adjustment on an axis at right angles to the axis of saidsupplemental frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head, acutter chain on said cutter bar, a driving motor on the rearward portionof said supplemental frame, and drive gearing interconnecting said motorand said cutter chain including a drive shaft adjacent said rearwardportion of said supplemental frame having an axis along the aforesaidaxis of rotation of the forward portion and also including a transverseshaft in said head along its axis of pivotal adjustment, said gearingalso including gearing interconnecting said two shafts which includes anelongated shaft extending longitudinally and obliquely relative to theaxis of said supplemental frame and from the rearward portion to theforward portion of said supplemental frame, said last named shaft beinghoused by said supplemental frame and having universal joint connectionsat its op-' to the axis of said supplemental frame, a cutterbarpivotally mounted on said head, a cutter chain on said cutter bar, adriving motor on the'rearward portion of said supplemental frame, anddrive gearing interconnecting said motor and said cutter chain includinga drive shaft adjacent said rearward portion of said supplemental framehaving an axis. along the aforesaid axis of rotation of the forwardportion and also including a transverse shaft in said head along itsaxis of pivotal adjustment, said gearing also including gearinginterconnecting said two shafts which includes an elongated shaftextending longitudinally and obliquely relative to the axis of saidsupplementalframe and from the rearward portion to the forward portionthereof.

4. A mining machine including a supporting frame, a supplemental frameextending generally horizontally therefrom having telescoping forwardand rearward portions mounted for relative adjustment on a horizontallyextending axis fixed relative to said rear portion, power operated meansfor rotating said forward portion relative 'to said rearward portion onsaid axis, a head on said forward portion mounted for pivotal adjust-,

ment on an axis at right angles to the axis of said supplemental frame,a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head, a cutter chain on saidoutter bar, a driving motor on the rearward portion of said supplementalframe, and drive gearing interconnecting said motor and said cutterchain including a drive shaft adjacent said rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame having an axis along the aforesaid axis of rotationof the forward portion and also including a transverse shaft in saidhead along its axis of pivotal adjustment, said gearing also includinggearing interconnecting said two shafts which includes an elongatedshaft extending longitudinally and obliquely rela tive to the axis ofsaid supplemental frame and from the rearward portion to the forwardportion thereof, said last named shaft being housed by said supplementalframe and having universal joint connections at its opposite ends.

5. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, hydraulic motor means carried by saidforward portion for adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative tosaid forward portion, 11y

draulic conductor means for supplying power to said hydraulic motorextending from said rearward portion of said supplemental frame to saidhydraulic motor means, said hydraulic conductor means includingconcentric sleeves concentric with the axis of adjustment of saidforward and rearward portions, fluid conducting passages and sealsbetween said sleeves, individual hydraulic conductors extending betweenone of said sleeves and said forward portion each individually pacedlaterally from said axis, said conductors being arcuately nested andconnected to form a rotatable shaft which provides for transmittingrotating force whil delivering fluid, and means including saidconductors connecting said one sleeve and said forward portion to insuretheir movement together.

6. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, motor means carried by said forward portionfor adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative to said forwardportion, conductor means for supplying power to said motor extendingfrom said rearward portion of said supplemental frame to said motormeans, said conductor'means including concentric sleeves concentric withthe axis of adjustment of said forward and rearward portions, individualconductors extending between one of said sleeves and said forwardportion each individually spaced laterally from said axis, saidconductors being arcuately nested and connected to form a rotatableshaft which provides for transmitting rotating force while deliveringfluid, and means including said conductors connecting said one sleeveand said forward portion to insure their movement together. j

7. A mining machine including a frame, a sup plemental frame thereonincluding f'orwardand rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, hydraulic motor means carried by saidforward portion for adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative tosaid forward portion, hydraulic conductor means for supplying power tosaid hydraulic motor extending from said rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame to said hydraulic motor means, said hydraulicconductor means including concentric sleeves concentric with the axis ofadjustment of said forward and rearward portions, fluid conductingpassages and seals between said sleeves, individual hydraulic conductorsextending between one of said sleeves and said for ward portion eachindividuall spaced laterally from said axis, said conductors beingarcuately relative to said forward portion, conductor means forsupplying power to said motor extending from said rearward portion ofsaid supplemental frame.

to said motor means, said conductor means including concentric sleevesconcentric with the axis of adjustment of said forward and rearwardportions, individual conductors extending between one of said sleevesand said forward portion each individually spaced laterally from saidaxis, said conductors being arcuately nested and connected to form arotatable shaft which provides for transmitting rotating force whiledelivering fluid, and means connecting said one sleeve and said for wardportion to insure their movement together.

9. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, hydraulic motor means carried by saidforward portion for adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative tosaid forward portion, hydraulic conductor means for supplying power tosaid hydraulic motor extending from said rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame to said hydraulic motor means, said hydraulicconductor means including concentric sleeves concentric with the axis ofadjustment of said forward and rearward portions, fluid conductingpassages and seals between said sleeves, hydraulic conductors extendingbetween oneof said sleeves and said forward portion, means includingsaid conductors connecting said one sleeve and said forward portion toinsure their movement together, said concentric sleeves being spacedfrom said forward portion along said axis of adjustment, and saidconductors including a plurality of metal tubes rigidly attachedtogether to transmit turning torque from said forward member to said onesleeve, and a drive shaft for said kerf cutting mechanism extendingthrough and concentric,

withsaid concentric sl eves.

10. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about ankerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portion of saidsupplemental frame, hydraulic motor means carried by said forwardportion for adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative to saidforward portion, hydraulic conductor means for supplying power to saidhydraulic motor extending from said rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame to said hydraulic motor means, said hydraulicconductor means including concentric sleeves concentric with the axis ofadjustment of said forward and rearward portions, fluid conductingpassages and seals between said sleeves, hydraulic conductors extendingbetween one of said sleeves and said forward portion, and meansincluding said conductors connecting said one sleeve and said forwardportion to insure their movement together, said concentric sleeves beingspaced from said forward portion along said axis of adjustment, and saidconductors including a plurality of metal tubes rigidly attachedtogether to transmit turning torque from said forward member to saidcnesleeve.

11. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, hydraulic motor means carried by saidforward portion for adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative tosaid forward portion, hydraulic conductor means for supplying power tosaid hydraulic motor extending from said rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame to said hydraulic motor means, said hydraulicconductor means including a rotatable member, and hydraulic conductorseach connected at one end to said rotatable member to rotate it andconnected at the other end to one of said relatively adjustablesupplemental frame portions, said conductors including a plurality of atleast semirigid tubes attached together to transmit turning torque fromone of said supplemental frame portions to said rotatable member.

12. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, motor means carried by said forward portionfor adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative to said forwardportion, conductor means for supplying power to said motor extendingfrom said rearward portion of said supplemental frame to said motormeans, said conductor means including a rotatable member, and conductorseach connected at one end to said rotatable member to rotate it andconnected at the other end to one of said relatively adjustablesupplemental frame portions, said conductors including a plurality of atleast semi-rigid elongated members attached together to transmit turningtorque from one of said supplemental frame portions to said rotatablemember.

13. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, motor means carried by said forward portionfor adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative to said forwardportion, motor means carried by the rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame for driving said kerf cutting mechanism, gearinginterconnecting said last named motor means and said lcerf cuttingmechanism including a shaft adjacent the rear of said supplemental framehaving an axis coincidental with the aforementioned axis, an elongatedlongitudinally extending shaft having an axis oblique relative to saidfirst named axis and a universal joint interconnecting said two shafts,conductor means for-supplying power to said second named motor means andextending from said rear portion of said supplemental frame to saidsecond named motor means, said conductor means including a memberrotatable about said first named shaft and conductors each connected atone end to said rotatable conductor member and connected at the. otherend to one of said relatively adjust- 16 bers attached to transmitturning torque from one of said supplemental frame portions to saidrotatable conductor member.

15. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said. supplemental frame, motor means carried by said forward portionfor adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative to said forwardportion, motor means carried by the rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame for driving said kerf cutting mechanism, gearinginterconnecting said last named motor means and said kerf cuttingmechanism including a shaft adjacent the rear of said supplemental framehaving an axis coincidental with the aforementioned axis, an elongatedlongitudinally extending shaft having an axis oblique relative to saidfirst named axis and a universal joint interconnecting said two shafts,conductor mean for supplying power to said second named motor means andextending from said rear portion of said supplemental frame to ablesupplemental frame members, said conductors being spaced around saiduniversal joint and at least a portion of said oblique shaft through anarc of approximately 180 degrees whereby said oblique shaft may extendlongitudinally beyond said conductors, and means including saidconductors'constituting semi-rigid elongated members attached totransmit turning torque from one of said supplemental frame portions tosaid rotatable conductor member.

14. A mining machine including a frame, a supplemental frame thereonincluding forward and rearward portions relatively adjustable about anaxis, kerf cutting mechanism adjustably mounted on the forward portionof said supplemental frame, motor means carried by said forward portionfor adjusting said kerf cutting mechanism relative to said forwardportion, motor means carried by the rearward portion of saidsupplemental frame for driving said kerf cutting mechanism, gearinginterconnecting said last named motor means and said kerf cuttingmechanism including a shaft adjacent the rear of said supplemental framehaving an axis coincidental with the aforementioned axis, an elongatedlongitudinally extending shaft having an axis oblique relative to saidfirst named axis and a universal joint interconnecting said two shafts,conductor means for supplying power to said second named motor means andextending from said rear portion of said supplemental frame to saidsecond named motor means, said conductor means including a memberrotatable about said first named shaft and conductors each connected atone end to said rotatable conductor member and connected at the otherend to one of said relatively adjustable supplemental frame members,said conductors being spaced around said universal joint and at least aportion of said oblique shaft through an arc of approximately 180degrees whereby said oblique shaft may extend longitudinally beyond saidconductors, and means constituting semi-rigid elongated memsaid secondnamed motor means, said conductor means including a member rotatableabout said first named shaft and conductors each connected at one end tosaid rotatable conductor member and connected at the other end to one ofsaid relatively adjustable supplemental frame members, said conductorsbeing spaced around said universal joint and at least a portion of saidoblique shaft through an arc of approximately degrees whereby saidoblique shaft may extend longitudinally beyond said conductors, andmeans attached to transmit turning torque from one of said supplementalframe portions to said rotatable conductor member.

16. A machine of the class described including a frame having forwardand rearward portions relatively adjustable about an axis, a hydraulicmotor carried by said forward portion, hydraulic conductor means forsupplying power to said motor andextending from said rearward, portionto said forward portion, said hydraulic conductor means includingconcentric sleeves concentric with the axis of adjustment of saidforward and rearward portions, fluid conducting passages and sealsbetween said sleeves, individual elongated hydraulic conductorsextending between one of said sleeves and a removed position on said forward portion, each individually spaced laterally from said axis, saidhydraulic conductors being arcuately nested and connected together toform a rotatable shaft which provides for transmitting rotating forcewhile delivering fluid, and means including said conductors connectingsaid one sleeve and said forward portion to insure their movementtogether. 7,

1'7. A machine of the class described including a frame having forwardand rearward portions relatively adjustable about an axis, a hydraulicmotor carried by said forward portion, hydraulic conductor means forsupplying power to said motor and extending from said rearward portionto said forward portion, said hydraulic conductor means includingconcentric sleeves concentric with the axis of adjustment of saidforward and rearward portions, fluid conducting passages and sealsbetween said sleeves, individual elongated hydraulic conductorsextending between one of said sleeves and a removed position on saidforward portion, each individually spaced laterally from said axis, andmeans extending generally parallel with said axis and interconnectingsaid one sleeve and said forward portion to insure their rotationtogether.

18. A machine of the class described including a frame having forwardand rearward portions relatively adjustable about an axis, a motorcarried by said forward portion, conductor means for supplying power tosaid motor and extending from said rearward portion to said forwardportion, said conductor means including a rotatable member, and a,plurality of elongated conductors each connected at one end to saidrotatable member and connected at the other end to one of saidrelatively adjustable frame .portions, said conductors including aplurality of at least semirigid elongated members attached together totransmit turning torque from one of said supplemental frame portions tosaid rotatable member and extending in a direction generally parallel tosaid axis.

19. A machine of the class described including a frame having forwardand rearward portions relatively adjustable about an axis, a motorcarried by said forward portion, conductor means for supplying power tosaid motor and extending from said rearward portion to said forwardportion, said conductor means including a rotatable member, a pluralityof elongated conductors each connected at one end to said rotatablemember and connected at the other end to one of said relativelyadjustable frame portions, said conductors including a plurality ofelongated members extending in a direction generally parallel to saidaxis, and means extending between said rotatable member and said onerelatively adjustable frame portion, extending generally parallel withsaid axis, and operative to insure their movement together.

20. As an article of manufacture, a plurality of elongated hydraulicconductors of semi-rigid material, means connecting said conductorstogether in generally parallel spaced apart nesting relation formed inan arc of a circle in a plane perpendicular to their axes, and an endplate connected to said conductors at one end and formed new-moon inshape, said conductors forming a torque transmitting shaft adapted totransmit rotary motion along an axis parallel with said conductors.

21. As an article of manufacture, a plurality f elongated hydraulicconductors of semi-rigid material, and means connecting said conductorstogether in generally parallel spaced apart nesting relation formed inan arc of a circle in a plane perpendicular to their axes, saidconductors forming a torque transmitting shaft adapted to transmitrotary motion along an axis parallel with said conductors.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,737,045 Davis Nov. 26, 1929 1,765,524 Davis June 24, 19301,891,670 Ernst Dec. 20, 1932 1,927,430 Williams Sept. 19, 19332,010,449 Yingling Aug. 6, 1935 2,062,660 Holmes Dec. 1, 1936 2,067,339Pray Jan. 12, 1937 2,100,350 Osgood Nov. 30, 1937 2,194,474 Joy Mar. 26,1940 2,263,779 Jeffrey et al Nov. 25, 1941 2,263,925 Jeffrey et al. Nov.25, 1941 2,323,493 Sloane July 6, 1943 2,562,881 Baldwin et al. Aug. 7,1951 2,570,400 Stein Oct. 9, 1951

